Tuesday 20 May 2008 07.30 EDT
First published on Tuesday 20 May 2008 07.30 EDT

The England manager Martin Johnson has decided not to replace the injured Danny Cipriani with another fly-half and has instead called up Leicester centre Dan Hipkiss to the 32-man squad to tour New Zealand next month.

After a meeting with England tour manager Rob Andrew, Johnson felt that Charlie Hodgson, Olly Barkley and Toby Flood would be able to handle No10 duties. "We all agreed there was good cover at fly-half and so we decided to go with Dan," said Johnson.

"[Hipkiss] gives us further options at centre and he has been playing well for Leicester Tigers in recent weeks. He deserves his chance," Johnson added.

Hipkiss was not originally selected for either the senior group or the England Saxons squad to face the US and Canada, and many predicted that Gloucester fly-half Ryan Lamb, club colleague Anthony Allen or Wasps' Dominic Waldouck would be picked for the New Zealand tour.

"I obviously cannot help but feel for Danny and the injury he has suffered, and my thoughts are with him," said Hipkiss, who will play in the Guinness Premiership final against Wasps at Twickenham before joining the England squad. "However, this gives me a chance to tour New Zealand and it will be a very tough and challenging environment. The World Cup last year will hold me in good stead and it is an opportunity I am looking forward to."

The 25-year-old has won six caps, including four substitute appearances during England's 2007 World Cup campaign. He made his Test debut in England's 62-5 World Cup warm-up win against Wales last August, forming a midfield partnership alongside Andy Farrell, before being used from the bench in the pool stage victories over Samoa and Tonga. He replaced Josh Lewsey during the semi-final win against hosts France before coming on for Jason Robinson in the final, which England lost to South Africa.

Cipriani faces six months on the sidelines after dislocating his right ankle during Wasps' Premiership play-off victory over Bath on Sunday. He is expected to be released from hospital tomorrow following an operation on Sunday night to repair ankle damage and faces a battle to play again this year. He is likely to miss England's November Tests against the Pacific Islanders, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.